Dean Keates admits he is in a difficult situation over his current squad selection, but adds he was still busy trying to rectify an issue that will allow him a free hand to pick his match day squad.

John Rooney was omitted from the starting line-up for last Saturday’s visit of Boreham Wood as the midfielder was one National League start away from triggering a clause in his contract that would keep him at Wrexham next season.

The midfielder came off the bench to score an injury time winner for the Dragons, and insisted after the game he wanted to remain at the club, believing he can see brighter times ahead under Keates.

Saturday’s game was Mark Carrington’s 29th league start of the season leaving him in a similar situation, and Keates admits he has inherited a difficult set of circumstances, but was still working to try and come to some sort of arrangement which would free up his selection.

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“The lads have got clauses in their contracts and we have sat down and had chats with them and all being well we can come to an agreement,” said Keates, ahead of Saturday’s visit of Guiseley.

“It is a difficult situation to be in, I have explained the situation, what we want and what I want at the football club going forward. There are things that need ironing out and all being well we can get them done.”

Asked over Rooney in particular, Keates added: “It's still on going as it stands. We will have another chat after training and see how we can go and how it gets on.”

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Wrexham entertain Guiseley on the back of a four game unbeaten run that has not only moved them up to 12th in the National League, but more importantly opened up a 13 point gap over the drop zone.

Heading into the weekend Wrexham are nearer to the play-offs – they sit 10 points behind fifth placed Dover Athletic – than the bottom four, but Keates is not getting ahead of himself.

However, the manager does feel the players are turning the Racecourse back into a fortress – they have won the last three home games – but insists they need to continue and indeed improve on that record.

He added: “It is a decent little bit of form, we are at home so what comes with being at home is the expectation that we can put on a performance and get the three points.

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“It (a fortress) needs to be. You look at the size of the stadium and the fans that we have and how many come through the turnstiles and the passion we have in the stadium, we need to use that for our benefit.

“Teams come here and players raise their game because they might not get the chance to play in front of 3,500 or 4,000 fans, and we have to use that as a positive and get behind us and when teams come here and raise their game we have to make sure it raises us even more and drives us on.

“We are only ever able to take one game at a time, we will go out, do our best tomorrow, be as prepared as we can and try and get three points. All being well come 4.50pm we have got the three points and we will then get ready for the week after. We are just looking at it each game as it comes.”

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While Keates was still working on a way to give him a free hand on his selection, he may be missing Russell Penn, the midfielder rolling his ankle early in the second half of the 2-1 win over Boreham Wood last Saturday.

However, he has bolstered his defensive ranks with the loan signing of Doncaster Rovers defender Mitchell Lund in the week.

Keates has been keen to add cover to the defence, certainly in the light of left-back James Jennings being charged earlier in the week by the FAW following his part in the brawl at the end of the cross-border derby, and faces a possible ban.

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“I think he (Penn) will be touch and go,” said Keates. “He is going to do a bit this morning, so it is just case of watch this space. We will see how he trains today and if there is any reaction for tomorrow.”